Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

  • A History of the World in 21 Women

  • By: Jenni Murray
  • Narrated by: Jenni Murray
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (766 ratings)

$0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
A History of the World in 21 Women cover art

A History of the World in 21 Women

By: Jenni Murray
Narrated by: Jenni Murray
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Listeners also enjoyed...

A Brief History of Misogyny: the World's Oldest Prejudice cover art
A History of Britain in 21 Women cover art
The Fascination of What's Difficult cover art
Forgotten Women cover art
The Beauty Myth cover art
Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue cover art
The Noel Coward BBC Radio Drama Collection cover art
Toksvig's Almanac 2021 cover art
Rise Up Women! cover art
Getting Better cover art
Women of Westminster cover art
A Life of Crime: Memoirs of a High Court Judge cover art
No Comment cover art
Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries cover art
Red Memory cover art
Bloody Brilliant Women cover art

Summary

I was 10 years old when I came across Boadicea, and she became the first woman to make me realise that the designated future of a girl born in 1950 - to be sweet, domesticated, undemanding and super feminine - was not necessarily the case.

Boadicea battled the Romans. Nancy Astor fought in Parliament. Emmeline Pankhurst campaigned for female suffrage. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became a pioneering physician in a man’s profession. Mary Quant revolutionised the fashion industry.

Britain has traditionally been defined by its conflicts, its conquests, its men and its monarchs. It’s high time that it was defined by its women. In this unique history, Jenni Murray tells the stories of 21 women who refused to succumb to the established laws of society, whose lives embodied hope and change. Famous queens, forgotten visionaries, great artists and trailblazing politicians - all pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world. In Murray’s hands their stories are enthralling and beguiling; they have the power to inspire us once again.

©2018 Jenni Murray (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about A History of the World in 21 Women

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    544
  • 4 Stars
    154
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    528
  • 4 Stars
    103
  • 3 Stars
    25
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    6
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    485
  • 4 Stars
    117
  • 3 Stars
    51
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent. Enlightening and enjoyable

Informed, interesting and concise in it's summary of each significant woman. There is much to be said for each woman but the essential essence of their stories is surmised brilliantly. The selection of figures over the spread of history is on point and expertly presented.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Gives an appreciation of women I would not have thought to learn about previously. Showcases the strength women have to possess to overcome prejudice, tradition, expectations and misogyny to achieve their goals and dreams.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant Book

Interesting choices, never accepted Madonna. I greatly admired the Russian journalist showing the world what was going on. Thank you Jenny., for highlighting these women.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Jennie Murray. History of the world in 21 women

Absolutely the best book I have ever listened to from Audible. Jenni read it so well and I was able to obtain some of my next book titles.
I’ve also started to listen again to some women I most admired or had never as there was such a lot included I don’t want to miss anything. I will use it as a future reading plan

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

interesting story very enjoyable

I just finished the book en enjoyed it very much.
A lot of detailed information. very wel narrated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Thank God for Jenni Murray

I'm so grateful for this book. In a time where cynicism and apathy seem wise choices, this gem is the perfect antidote. Thank you

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brilliant

I just loved this book and Jenni read it perfectly. It should be a school text book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Really informative but enjoyable listen

Narration sometimes irritating (she pauses a lot mid sentence!) and not keen on the somewhat biased/one-sided portrayal of the israel/palastine conflict. But aside from that I learnt loads, and so refreshing and vital to hear a history of the world that incudes the other 50% of the population - everyone should listen to this book! A really great and empowering listen, women have changed the world!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Nice overview of important historical women

I enjoyed this book, and particularly hearing it read by the author. regardless of whether you agree with her choices or not, her explanation as to why she included them justified this enough for me. I feel I want to find out more about some of these.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful and joyful

An absolute treat. Inspiring, moving, reassuring and a reminder of what greatness lies inside us all. Thank you, Jenni!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!